Nest-site selection and its impact on breeding success of the Lesser Kestrel,Falco naumanni,in the North of Iran (Aves: Falconiformes)

The Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) is a small migratory falcon which nests coloni- ally on inland cliffs and ruined buildings. Bandar Turkman city holds one of the most important breeding colonies in Iran. It nests in holes in roofs, walls or on ledges of buildings throughout of the city. We tried to find out whether there is a relationship between nest-site selection and breeding success. Although height from the ground is the most important factor in nest-site selection by F. naumanni, height from the floor and distance to the nearest neighbour are other main factors which affect breeding success. This could be the result of accessibility by human and natural predators such as domestic cats which threaten nests. The number of possible nest-sites in the study area is limited as many old, ruined buildings are being replaced by new construc- tions; this colonially breeding bird species therefore suffers from a lack of highly suitable nest-sites and this directly affect breeding success.     

Tissue composition effect on dose distribution in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy

Aim

The aim of this study is to assess the effect of the compositions of various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials on dose distribution in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy.

Background

Neutron brachytherapy and neutron capture therapy are two common radiotherapy modalities.

Materials and methods

Dose distributions were calculated around a low dose rate ²⁵²Cf source located in a spherical phantom with radius of 20.0 cm using the MCNPX code for seven soft tissues and three tissue-equivalent materials. Relative total dose rate, relative neutron dose rate, total dose rate, and neutron dose rate were calculated for each material. These values were determined at various radial distances ranging from 0.3 to 15.0 cm from the source.

Results

Among the soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials studied, adipose tissue and plexiglass demonstrated the greatest differences for total dose rate compared to 9-component soft tissue. The difference in dose rate with respect to 9-component soft tissue varied with compositions of the materials and the radial distance from the source. Furthermore, the total dose rate in water was different from that in 9-component soft tissue.

Conclusion

Taking the same composition for various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent media can lead to error in treatment planning in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy. Since the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) recommends that the total dosimetric uncertainty in dose delivery in radiotherapy should be within ±5%, the compositions of various soft tissues and tissue-equivalent materials should be considered in dose calculation and treatment planning in neutron brachytherapy/neutron capture therapy.     

Computational biomechanics of human brain with and without the inclusion of the body under different blast orientation

Three different human head models in a free space are exposed to blast waves coming from four different directions. The four head–neck–body models composed of model a, with the neck free in space; model b, with neck fixed at the bottom; and model c, with the neck attached to the body. The results show that the effect of the body can be ignored for the first milliseconds of the head–blast wave interactions. Also one can see that although most biomechanical responses of the brain have similar patterns in all models, the shear stresses are heavily increased after a few milliseconds in model b in which the head motion is obstructed by the fixed-neck boundary conditions. The free-floating head model results are closer to the attached-body model.     

Computational Design of TrkB Peptide Inhibitors and Their Biological Effects on Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

There are large numbers of different intracellular signaling pathways regulated by Tyrosine kinases (Trk) receptors. Trk receptors, especially TrkB, are also frequently overexpressed in a variety of human malignant tumors. In this study, we have computationally designed small peptide-based inhibitors of TrkB and investigated their effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of two ovarian cancer cell lines. Molecular docking of TrkB with its ligand and antagonist, BDNF and Cyclotraxin B respectively, was carried out using HADDOCK program. A peptide library was constructed based on the critical residues involved in the TrkB binding site. After docking and optimization, two selected peptides were purchased and their effects on the viability and apoptosis of the cells were evaluated by performing MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) test and flow cytometry assay. Subsequently, the levels of expression and phosphorylation statues of TrkB and its two downstream genes including MAPK3 and eIF4E were assessed with western blot. We found that designed peptides effectively reduced TrkB, MAPK3 and eIF4E phosphorylation, reduced cell viability and induced apoptosis in the treated cells when compared to untreated cells. In conclusion, the BDNF/TrkB signaling is shown to be attenuated substantially in the presence of peptide inhibitors suggesting a strong inhibitory potential of the designed peptides for Trk family.     

Protective effect of orexin-A on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive and selective death of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Pharmacologic treatment of PD can be divided into symptomatic and neuroprotective therapies.     

Preparation of pre-cut corneas from fresh donated whole globes for Descemet’s stripping automated keratoplasty: 3-year results at the Central Eye Bank of Iran

To describe the technique and the results of the preparation of pre-cut corneas for Descemet’s stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) during a 3-year period at the Central Eye Bank of Iran (CEBI). The method of preparation of pre-cut corneas from donated whole globes at the CEBI is described and the frequency and percentage of pre-cut corneas prepared for DSAEK, between April 2009 and March 2012, are specified. Moreover, post-operative reports are reviewed for any complaints about using pre-cut tissues for DSAEK. Out of the 1,518 donated whole globes appropriate for DSAEK, 1,478 (97.4 %) pre-cut corneas were successfully prepared. The method of preparation failed in 40 (2.6 %) cases. Based on the eye bank post-operative reports, thickness of pre-cut tissues for DSAEK was deemed unacceptable in only 6 (0.4 %) cases prior to surgery; five of these were too thick and one was too thin. Preparation of pre-cut corneas, for DSAEK from donated whole globes, in the CEBI is a safe and easy method, with very good preservation of endothelial cells after the preparation of the pre-cut corneas and reduced risks from corneal manipulation.     

Prevalence and detection of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producingPseudomonas aeruginosa strains from clinical isolates in Iran

Of the 126 isolates obtained from clinical specimens, seventy strains were selected because of resistance or reduced susceptibilities to imipenem and/or ceftazidime. Screening for detection of MBL-producing strains was performed in latter isolates by the Etest MBL strips. Isolates that were positive to Etest MBL strips were analysed by PCR. PCR was performed with specific DNA probes for detection of genes coding IMP or VIM enzymes and positive controls (MBL-producing strains). Finally, eight isolates ofPseudomonas aeruginosa were detected to carry a bla_VIM gene.     

Design Optimization and Fabrication of Graphene/J-Aggregate Kretschmann-Raether Devices for Refractive Index Sensing Using Plasmon-Induced Transparency Phenomena

Plasmonics - Here, a novel plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) sensing platform based on a Kretschmann–Raether configuration with graphene/J-aggregate materials is proposed. The J-aggregate...     

In vitro and in vivo neurotoxicity of prion protein oligomers

The mechanisms underlying prion-linked neurodegeneration remain to be elucidated, despite several recent advances in this field. Herein, we show that soluble, low molecular weight oligomers of the full-length prion protein (PrP), which possess characteristics of PrP to PrPsc conversion intermediates such as partial protease resistance, are neurotoxic in vitro on primary cultures of neurons and in vivo after subcortical stereotaxic injection. Monomeric PrP was not toxic. Insoluble, fibrillar forms of PrP exhibited no toxicity in vitro and were less toxic than their oligomeric counterparts in vivo. The toxicity was independent of PrP expression in the neurons both in vitro and in vivo for the PrP oligomers and in vivo for the PrP fibrils. Rescue experiments with antibodies showed that the exposure of the hydrophobic stretch of PrP at the oligomeric surface was necessary for toxicity. This study identifies toxic PrP species in vivo. It shows that PrP-induced neurodegeneration shares common mechanisms with other brain amyloidoses like Alzheimer disease and opens new avenues for neuroprotective intervention strategies of prion diseases targeting PrP oligomers.